Baby cot with life raft function

Abstract

A baby cot (10), also called a baby bassinet, comprises a floatable base body (12) which is shaped and dimensioned such that it is suitable for accommodating a baby. The baby cot (10) also referred to as a baby bassinet furthermore comprises a cover (23) which is designed to close an open upper side of the base body (12) watertightly.

Description

The present application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2009 038 029.9, filed Aug. 19, 2009 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/235,163, filed Aug. 19, 2009, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The invention relates to a baby cot, also called a baby bassinet, which is suitable in particular for use on board an aircraft.

At present, baby cots employed in passenger aircraft can be detachably fastened to a dividing wall provided in the passenger cabin. The fastening of a baby cot to the dividing wall can be effected, for example, by means of pins which are attached to the baby cot and can be inserted into corresponding inserts embedded in the dividing wall and audibly catch as soon as the pins have reached a desired position in the inserts. To remove the baby cot from the dividing wall, in contrast, it is necessary to release the catch connection between the pins attached to the baby cot and the inserts embedded in the dividing wall, for example by pushing appropriate release buttons. In order to avoid inadvertent actuation of the release buttons, the release buttons are generally arranged behind spring-loaded covering flaps which have to be manually displaced to make the release buttons accessible. The baby cots currently employed in passenger aircraft may only be used when the aircraft is at cruising altitude. During takeoff, landing and taxiing, however, it is not permitted for a baby to be in the baby cot.

Furthermore, inflatable life rafts specially designed for babies are usually provided on board an aircraft in case of a crash-landing in water. These life rafts are stored, similar to life jackets, in the folded-up state and are usually stowed in a luggage compartment of the aircraft. In an emergency, the life raft must first be fetched by the cabin crew and inflated. Then, the baby has to be placed in the life raft and the lift raft closed. These procedures are awkward and time-consuming. Moreover, there is a risk of the life raft, which is normally brought on board the aircraft by a catering company if there is a baby among the passengers, being forgotten and then not being present on board in an emergency.

The object on which the invention is based, therefore, is to provide a baby cot which is suitable for use on board an aircraft and can be used, in the event of the aircraft crash-landing in water, as a life raft for a baby.

To achieve this object, a baby cot according to the invention comprises a floatable base body which is shaped and dimensioned such that it is suitable for accommodating a baby. Similar to conventional baby cots currently employed in passenger aircraft, the baby cot according to the invention can also have a fastening element which is, for example, attached to the base body and which enables the baby cot to be fastened to a dividing wall provided in an aircraft passenger cabin. The fastening element formed on the baby cot can be designed to cooperate with a complementary fastening element attached to the dividing wall. For example, fastening clips can be attached to the base body of the baby cot according to the invention and these clips can be inserted into corresponding holding clips mounted on the dividing wall.

Furthermore, the baby cot according to the invention comprises a cover which is designed to close an open upper side of the base body watertightly. When the cover is closed, the ingress of water into the interior of the base body is thus reliably avoided. The baby cot equipped with a floatable base body and a watertight cover is suitable for serving as a life raft for a baby, for example in the event of an aircraft crash-landing in water. The baby cot according to the invention thus obviates the need to provide an additional baby life raft. As a result, there is no longer a risk of a life raft possibly not being present on board the aircraft in an emergency. Moreover, it is no longer necessary to fetch the life raft and render it usable by inflating it. Finally, the need to transfer the baby from a conventional baby cot to a separate life raft can be dispensed with. Instead, all that is required to convert the baby cot according to the invention into a life raft is to close the open upper side of the base body watertightly by means of the cover. The simple handling of the baby cot according to the invention more or less precludes malfunctions due to incorrect handling. The baby cot according to the invention thus results in a considerable easing of the burden on the cabin crew in an emergency situation. Overall, the chances of survival of a baby in the event of a crash-landing in water are thus significantly increased by the baby cot according to the invention.

Although the baby cot according to the invention is described here as being suitable for use on board an aircraft, it will be understood that the baby cot according to the invention may also be employed elsewhere, for example on board a ship.

The base body of the baby cot according to the invention is preferably made of a plastics material. Suitable materials are, for example, polyethylene (PE) or polyamide (PA), but also glass-fibre or carbon-fibre reinforced plastics or foam materials. As a result, the baby cot can be designed to be lightweight, yet at the same time robust. Moreover, a plastics material is particularly well suited for the production of a floatable base body owing to its low density. At least one hollow chamber can be formed in a base plate and/or at least one side wall of the base body. As a result of this(these) preferably air-filled hollow chamber(s), the floatability of the base body can be markedly improved compared with a base body designed as a solid body. Furthermore, the inner space of the base body is insulated against cold by the hollow chamber(s). If desired, a plurality of hollow chambers separated from one another can be formed in the base body. A base body having a plurality of hollow chambers separated from one another retains its floatability even if one or more hollow chamber(s) should have a leak. Preferably, at least one hollow chamber is formed in each side wall and the base plate of the base body.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the baby cot according to the invention, a plurality of hollow chambers arranged above one another and/or beside one another are formed in the base plate of the base body. As a result, optimal insulation of the base-body inner space and in particular of the lying area, formed by an inner surface of the base-body base plate, of the baby cot is ensured.

A first side wall of the base body can be constructed higher, i.e. extend further from the base plate of the base body, than a second side wall, lying opposite the first side wall, of the base body. Furthermore, a third side wall, connecting the first and the second side wall to one another, of the base body and a fourth side wall, connecting the first and the second side wall to one another and lying opposite the third side wall, of the base body can have an edge which is inclined relative to the base plate of the base body and faces away from the base plate. When the open upper side of a base body provided with side walls constructed in this manner is closed watertightly by means of the cover, the cover supported on the upper edges, facing away from the base plate, of the side walls forms a sloping water-runoff surface without the cover itself having to be provided with a correspondingly shaped slope. The collection of water on the cover is thereby reliably avoided.

Preferably, the cover of the baby cot according to the invention is designed to be stored in a space-saving manner in a folded-up state during normal use of the baby cot. For example, the cover can be embodied in the form of a tarpaulin made of a watertight material. As an alternative to this, however, the cover can also comprise an inflatable body. An inflatable cover has the advantage that, during normal use of the baby cot, it can be fastened to the base body in a space-saving manner in the folded-up state in the region of a side wall of the base body or integrated into a side wall of the base body. In the inflated state, in contrast, the cover already has a shape and is already at least approximately arranged in a position which facilitates the closing of an open upper side of the base body by means of the cover. Moreover, an inflatable cover contributes to further improvement of the floatability of the baby cot and also to further improvement of the insulation of the base-body inner space against cold.

A cover comprising an inflatable body can be made, for example, of a plastics or rubber material which is also employed during the production of inflatable boats or life jackets. Suitable materials are, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorosulphonated polyethylene (Hypalon®), polyurethane (PU) or the like. Furthermore, it is advantageous to design the cover and/or the base body of the baby cot according to the invention in a signal colour, such as, for example, yellow or orange, in order to facilitate visual location of the baby cot functioning as a life raft in an emergency.

In particular if it has an inflatable body, the cover is preferably stowed in the folded-up state during normal use of the baby cot in such a manner, i.e. fastened to the base body or integrated into a component, for example a side wall of the base body, in such a manner, that its unfolding is not hindered in an emergency. Holders which keep the cover in the folded-up state or elements which envelop the cover in the folded-up state should therefore be designed such that the cover can be quickly and simply unfolded in an emergency. Such holders or envelopes should therefore be provided, for example, with seams or the like which split open easily.

The cover of the baby cot according to the invention is preferably fixedly connected to the base body along at least a section of a circumference of the base body. This ensures that the cover is rapidly ready to hand in an emergency. For example, the cover can be fixedly connected to the base body along a section of a side wall of the base body. As an alternative to this, it is conceivable to provide a watertight zip fastener which is designed to connect the cover to the base body along the circumference of the base body. Particularly simple conversion of the baby cot for the emergency is possible if the cover is fixedly connected to the base body along a section of the circumference of the base body and a watertight zip fastener serves to connect the cover to the base body along the remaining section of the circumference of the base body.

The cover of the baby cot according to the invention preferably has at least one section formed by a watertight, air-permeable membrane. Such a design of the cover ensures sufficient ventilation of the inner space of the base body and thus sufficient oxygen supply to a baby accommodated in the watertightly closed baby cot even when the base body is watertightly closed by means of the cover. For example, a Goretex® membrane or a membrane having similar properties can be used as the watertight, air-permeable membrane.

For further improvement of its floatability, the baby cot according to the invention can comprise at least one inflatable float which extends in the inflated state from an outer surface of a side wall of the base body. For example, the float can have a triangular cross-section and be fastened to the base body such that a floating surface of the float extends parallel to an outer surface of the base-body base plate, in particular in a direct prolongation of the outer surface of the base-body base plate. If desired, the baby cot according to the invention can be equipped with a plurality of inflatable floats. For example, each side wall of the base body can be assigned a corresponding float. Sufficient stabilisation of the baby cot in the water is already ensured, however, by two floats assigned to mutually opposite side walls.

Similar to the cover of the baby cot according to the invention, the inflatable float can also be made of a plastics or rubber material which is also used for the production of inflatable boats or life jackets. Suitable materials are, for example, Suitable materials are, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorosulphonated polyethylene (Hypalon®), polyurethane (PU) or the like. Furthermore, it is again advantageous to design the float in a signal colour, such as, for example, yellow or orange, in order to facilitate visual location of the baby cot functioning as a life raft in an emergency.

Similar to the cover, the inflatable float is preferably stowed in the folded-up state during normal use of the baby cot in such a manner, i.e. fastened to the base body or integrated into a component, for example a side wall of the base body, in such a manner, that its unfolding is not hindered in an emergency. Holders which keep the float in the folded-up state or elements which envelop the float in the folded-up state should therefore be designed such that the float can be quickly and simply unfolded in an emergency. Such holders or envelopes should therefore be provided, for example, with seams or the like which split open easily.

Preferably, a plurality of hollow chambers separated from one another are formed in an inner space of the inflatable float. As a result of a design of the inflatable float with a plurality of separate hollow chambers, the functionality of the float is ensured even if one hollow chamber should have a leak.

The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises a stabilising device which has at least one unfoldable stabilising body fastened to the base body. The unfoldable stabilising body can consist, for example, of a watertight tarpaulin and be fastened to an outer surface of the base-body base plate. Preferably, the stabilising body is provided, in a region adjacent to the base body, with at least one water supply opening. The water supply opening enables a supply of water into the stabilising body and thus the unfolding of the stabilising body in an emergency when the baby cot is floating in the water. In the unfolded state, the stabilising body preferably extends substantially perpendicularly to the base plate of the base body from an outer surface of the base-body base plate. The stabilising body can have a substantially cylindrical shape, for example. A water-tight design of the side walls and the bottom of the stabilising body prevents water which has been supplied into the stabilising body via the water supply opening from escaping from the stabilising body again. An optimised water supply into the stabilising body is ensured when the stabilising body has a plurality of water supply openings arranged in a manner distributed around a circumference of the stabilising body, in a region of the stabilising body which is adjacent to the base body.

The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises an inflating device for inflating an inflatably designed cover and/or an inflatable float. The inflating device can comprise, for example, at least one gas cartridge which is connected to an inner space of the inflatable body of the cover and/or an inner space of the float. A compressed-air cartridge, for example, can be employed as the gas cartridge. An inflating device fitted with a gas cartridge enables automatic inflation of the cover and/or the float.

In addition or as an alternative to this, however, the inflating device can also comprise a mouthpiece which is likewise connected to an inner space of the inflatable body of the cover and/or an inner space of the float. For example, a cutout for accommodating the mouthpiece of the inflating device can be provided in an inner surface of a side wall of the base body. The cutout accommodating the mouthpiece can be closable with a corresponding cover in order to protect the mouthpiece of the inflating device from soiling or misuse, in particular during normal use of the baby cot according to the invention. An inflating device which comprises both a gas cartridge and a mouthpiece is particularly conveniently and reliably operable since the gas cartridge normally ensures automatic inflation of the cover and/or the float, but the cover and/or the float can also be inflated via the mouthpiece in the event of a failure of the gas cartridge.

The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises an activating mechanism for activating the gas cartridge. The activating mechanism can comprise, for example, an activating element which is connected to a valve of the gas cartridge and furthermore can be fastened to a holding element, for example a holding element mounted on a wall intended for fastening the baby cot according to the invention, when the baby cot is in a position intended for normal use of the baby cot. The activating element is preferably designed to transmit a force required for opening the valve of the gas cartridge to the valve of the gas cartridge when the baby cot is moved from its position intended for normal use of the baby cot relative to the holding element. In the case of a baby cot fitted with an activating mechanism, the gas cartridge is thus automatically activated and the cover and/or the float of the baby cot is activated as soon as the baby cot is moved from its position intended for normal use of the baby cot relative to the holding element. If the holding element is, for example, mounted on a dividing wall of an aircraft passenger cabin intended for fastening the baby cot, the activating mechanism ensures automatic activation of the gas cartridge as soon as the baby cot is detached from the dividing wall.

In order to prevent inadvertent triggering of the activating mechanism, the activating element and the holding element are preferably designed such that they can be separated from one another in a simple manner when the baby cot on normal use is to be moved from its position relative to the holding element, i.e. for example is to be detached from a dividing wall, intended for fastening the baby cot, of an aircraft passenger cabin. For example, the holding element can be embodied in the form of a hook and the activating element can comprise a holding ring intended for cooperating with the holding element.

The activating element can, for example, be embodied in the form of an activating cord or an activating rod, the first end of which is connected to the valve of the gas cartridge. A second end of the activating element can preferably be fastened to the holding element when the baby cot is in a position intended for normal use of the baby cot. Furthermore, the activating element can be provided with a predetermined breaking point, the strength of which is greater than the force required for opening the valve of the gas cartridge but is less than the strength of the remaining regions of the activating element. The predetermined breaking point formed on the activating element is thus preferably designed such that it does not impair the force trans-mission to the valve of the gas cartridge. After the opening of the valve, however, it ensures controlled tearing or breaking of the activating element and thereby facilitates a movement of the baby cot from its position relative to the holding element.

The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises a carrying handle arrangement preferably comprising two carrying handles. The carrying handles can extend from two mutually opposite side walls of the base body, i.e. be fastened to two mutually opposite side walls of the base body. On normal use of the baby cot, the carrying handles facilitate the handling of the baby cot. The carrying handles can be connected to one another by means of a connecting device. Preferably, the carrying handle arrangement is shaped in such a manner, and has such mechanical properties, that it is suitable for cooperating with a sea rescue device.

For example, the carrying handles can be made of a material, and be dimensioned, such that they extend upwards from the side walls of the base body in a self-supporting manner. A spring hook of a sea rescue device can then be simply hooked into the connecting device connecting the carrying handles to one another, in order to pull the baby cot out of the water in an emergency. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the baby cot according to the invention, the connecting device connecting the carrying handles to one another extends from the ends of the carrying handles arcuately upwards, i.e. has a cross-section in the form of an inverted U. A connecting device shaped in this manner facilitates the hooking of a spring hook of a sea rescue device into the carrying handle arrangement.

In order to facilitate the location of the baby cot in the water in an emergency, the baby cot according to the invention is preferably equipped with signal lighting. The signal lighting can be embodied, for example, in the form of a flashing light. In addition or as an alternative to this, the baby cot according to the invention can be fitted with a GPS position transmitter. A GPS position transmitter also enables rapid location of the baby cot in poor visibility.

The signal lighting and/or GPS position transmitter can be coupled to the activating mechanism for activating the gas cartridge in such a manner that the signal lighting and/or GPS position transmitter is/are automatically activated when the activating mechanism activates the gas cartridge. In such an arrangement, it is not necessary in an emergency to activate the signal lighting and/or GPS position transmitter separately.

The baby cot according to the invention preferably furthermore comprises a safety belt arrangement suitable for securing a baby accommodated in the base body of the baby cot. As a result of the safety belt arrangement, the risk of injury to a baby present in the baby cot in an emergency is minimised. Moreover, on normal use of the baby cot too, the safety belt arrangement increases safety, since a baby accommodated in the base body of the baby cot is securely held in the baby cot, for example, during turbulence or the like. A baby cot fitted with a safety belt arrangement can also accommodate a baby during takeoff, landing and taxiing of an aircraft.

A preferred embodiment of a baby cot according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of the attached schematic drawings, of which

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a baby cot in a state suitable for normal use,

FIG. 2 shows a further three-dimensional view of the baby cot according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the baby cot according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the baby cot according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the baby cot according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of a base body of the baby cot according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 shows a detail illustration of a mouthpiece of the baby cot according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional illustration of the baby cot according to FIG. 1 in a state suitable for emergency use,

FIG. 9 shows a detail illustration of a cover inner side of the baby cot according to FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional illustration of a float of the baby cot according to FIG. 8, and

FIGS. 11a and 11b show detail illustrations of an activating mechanism of the baby cot according to FIGS. 1 to 10.

In the figures, a baby cot suitable for use on board an aircraft or a ship, for example, is denoted generally by 10. The baby cot 10 comprises a base body 12 which is shaped and dimensioned such that it is suitable for accommodating a baby. In particular, the base body 12 of the baby cot 10 comprises a base plate 14 and four side walls 16, 18, 20, 22 which bound the base plate 14 and extend substantially perpendicularly to the base plate 14. As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base body 12 of the baby cot 10 has an upper side of open design, so that a baby can be placed in the baby cot 10 in a simple manner, an inner surface of the base-body base plate 14 forming a lying area for the baby.

The base body 12 of the baby cot 10 is of floatable design. Furthermore, the baby cot 10 comprises a cover 23, illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, which is designed to close the upper side of the base body 12 watertightly. Owing to the floatable design of the base body 12 and the possibility of closing the open upper side of the base body 12 watertightly, the baby cot 10 can be used, in an emergency, i.e. for example in the event of an aircraft crash-landing in water or in the event of a ship accident, as a life raft for a baby. Carrying a separate baby life raft on board the aircraft or ship is thus unnecessary. Moreover, it is no longer necessary in an emergency to prepare a separate life raft for use and to transfer the baby from a conventional baby cot to the life raft.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the base body 12 of the baby cot 10 is made of a plastics material which, owing to its low density, ensures that the base body 12, i.e. the entire baby cot 12, floats in water. To improve the floatability of the base body 12, a plurality of hollow chambers 24 are formed in the base plate 14 and the side walls 16, 18, 20, 22 of the base body 12, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The individual hollow chambers 24 are each separated from one another and filled with air. Since a plurality of hollow chambers 24 are formed in the base body 12, the floatability of the base body 12 is not substantially impaired if one or even more than one hollow chamber 24 has a leak. Furthermore, the air-filled hollow chambers 24 ensure good insulation of the base-body inner space against cold. Optimal insulation of the lying area, formed by the inner surface of the base-body base plate 14, of the baby cot 10 is ensured by two hollow chambers 24 formed in the base-body base plate 14 and arranged one above the other. A baby present in the baby cot 10 is thus relatively well protected from cold even if the baby cot 10 is floating in cold water.

A first side wall 16 of the base body 12 is constructed higher than a second side wall 18, lying opposite the first side wall 16, of the base body 12. Furthermore, a third side wall 20, connecting the first and the second side wall 16, 18 to one another, and a fourth side wall 22, connecting the first and the second side wall 16, 18 to one another and lying opposite the third side wall 20, of the base body 12 have an upper edge which is inclined relative to the base plate 14 of the base body 12 and faces away from the base plate 14. When the cover 23 closes the open upper side of the base body 12, the cover 23, lying on the edges of the base-body side walls 16, 18, 20, 22, thus forms a sloping surface which, in an emergency when the baby cot 10 is floating in the water, prevents water from collecting on an upper side of the cover 23.

The cover 23, which serves to close the open upper side of the base body 12 watertightly in an emergency, is formed by an inflatable body. When the baby cot 10 is in a state suitable for normal use, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cover 23 formed by an inflatable body is stowed, folded up in a space-saving manner, in the region of the first side wall 16 of the base body 12. In principle, it is possible to stow the cover 23 in the folded-up state without an additional envelope or the like. If desired, however, an envelope for protecting the cover 23 may also be provided around the folded-up cover 23. Furthermore, it is conceivable to integrate the cover 23 in the folded-up state into a side wall 16, 18, 20, 22 of the base body 12, i.e. to accommodate the cover 23 in a recess formed in a side wall 16, 18, 20, 22 of the base body 12, for example. All that is essential is that, in an emergency, the unfolding of the cover 23 is not hindered by a protective envelope or a device for accommodating the cover 23. This can be ensured, for example, by designing any seams such that, in an emergency, they tear when the cover 23 is inflated in order to enable the unfolding of the cover 23.

The cover 23 is fixedly connected to the base body 12 in a central region of the first side wall 16. In contrast, in edge regions of the first side wall 16 and in the region of the second side wall 18, of the third side wall 20 and of the fourth side wall 22, a watertight zip fastener 26 is provided. With the aid of the watertight zip fastener 26, the cover 23 can be quickly and simply connected to the side walls 16, 18, 20, 22 of the base body 12 in an emergency, in order to close the upper side of the base body 12 watertightly.

Three openings 28 are formed in the cover 23. As can best be seen in FIG. 9, which shows an inner side of the cover 23, i.e. a surface of the cover 23 facing the inner space of the base body 12 when the cover 23 closes the open upper side of the base body 12, the openings 28 have a circular cross-section. The openings 28 may, however, also have any other geometrical cross-section. The openings 28 are each closed by a watertight air-permeable membrane 30. For example, a Goretex® membrane or a membrane with comparable properties may be employed as the watertight, air-permeable membrane 30. Sufficient ventilation of the inner space of the base body is ensured by the openings 28 closed by the membrane 30. At the same time, the membrane 30 prevents the ingress of water through the openings 28.

In order to further improve the floatability of the base body 12 in an emergency, the baby cot 10 is furthermore equipped with two inflatable floats 32. The floats 32 each have a triangular cross-section and extend from outer surfaces of the first and the second base-body side wall 16, 18, respectively. A floating surface 34 of the floats 32 extends in a direct prolongation with respect to an outer surface of the base-body base plate 14. From FIG. 10, it can be seen that two hollow chambers 36 separated from one another are formed in an inner space of the floats 32. This ensures that the functioning of the floats 32 is substantially maintained even if one hollow chamber 36 has a leak.

In order to ensure that the baby cot 10 is as stable as possible in the water in an emergency, even in rough seas, the baby cot 10 is furthermore equipped with a stabilising device 38. The stabilising device 38 comprises two unfoldable stabilising bodies 40 which are fastened to the base body 12 of the baby cot 10 and, in the unfolded state, extend from an outer surface of the base-body base plate 14 (see FIG. 8). The stabilising bodies 40 are formed by a watertight tarpaulin which is provided with a plurality of water supply openings 42 in a region adjacent to the base body 12 or the base-body base plate 14. When the baby cot 10 is floating in the water in an emergency, water enters the stabilising bodies 40 through the water supply openings 42 and thus ensures automatic unfolding of the stabilising bodies 40. The watertight design of the side walls and of the bottom of the stabilising bodies 40 prevents water from escaping from the stabilising bodies 40 again. In the unfolded state, the stabilising bodies 40 have a substantially circular-cylindrical shape, the water supply openings 42 being arranged in a manner distributed around a circumference of the stabilising bodies 40, in a region of the stabilising bodies 40 which is adjacent to the base body 12 or the base-body base plate 14.

The baby cot 10 is furthermore equipped with an inflating device for inflating the inflatable body of the cover 23 and the floats 32. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5, 11a and 11b, the inflating device comprises a mouthpiece 44 and a plurality of gas cartridges 46 which are fastened to an outer surface of the first base-body side wall 16. The gas cartridges 46, which may be embodied in the form of compressed-air cartridges for example, each have a valve 48. In the open state of the valve 48, gas flows out of the gas cartridges 46 into an inner space of the inflatable body of the cover 23 and the inner space of the floats 32. In principle, it is conceivable to provide separate gas cartridges 26 for inflating the inflatable body of the cover 23 and the individual floats 32. As an alternative to this, however, all the gas cartridges 46 may also be connected to the inner space of the inflatable body of the cover 23 and the inner space of the floats 23. Such an arrangement is distinguished by a certain redundancy in the event of failure of a gas cartridge 26.

With the aid of the mouthpiece 44, the inflatable body of the cover 23 and/or the floats 32 can be inflated even if all the gas cartridges 46 fail. It will be understood that the mouthpiece 44 may also be used, if required, to inflate the inflatable body of the cover 23 and/or the floats 32 to an even greater degree after inflation by the gas cartridges 46. As can best be seen in FIG. 7, the mouthpiece 44 is accommodated in a cutout 50 formed in an inner surface of the fourth base-body side wall 22. The cutout 50 can be closed by a cover (not shown in the figures), in order to protect the mouthpiece 44, for example, from misuse, soiling etc. on normal use of the baby cot 10.

The gas cartridges 46 of the inflating device are each activatable by means of an activating mechanism 52, illustrated in FIGS. 11a and 11b. The activating mechanism 52 comprises an activating element 54 embodied in the form of an activating cord in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11a and 11b. A first end of the activating element 54 is connected to a valve 48 of a gas cartridge 46, whereas a second end of the activating element 54 can be fastened to a holding element 56. The holding element 56 may be embodied, for example, in the form of a hook and mounted on a dividing wall 58 provided in an aircraft cabin.

The baby cot 10 can also be fastened to the dividing wall 58 by means of a fastening device 60 comprising a first fastening element 62, fastened to an outer surface of the first base-body side wall 16 of the baby cot 10, and a second fastening element 64, complementary to the first fastening element 62 and fastened to the dividing wall 58. If desired or necessary, the dividing wall 58 may be wholly or partly of strengthened design in order to ensure secure fastening of the baby cot 10 to the dividing wall 58.

The activating element 54 of the activating mechanism 52 is provided with a predetermined breaking point 66, the strength of which is greater than the force required to open the valve 48 of the gas cartridge 46. The strength of the predetermined breaking point 66 is, however, less than the strength of the remaining regions of the activating element 54. In an emergency, the baby cot 10 is detached from the dividing wall 58. This is done by appropriate uncoupling of the first fastening element 62 from the second fastening element 64. As a result of the movement of the baby cot 10 relative to the holding element 56 mounted on the dividing wall 58, a tensile force is applied to the activating element 54 of the activating mechanism 52, causing the valve 48 of the gas cartridge 46 to open. The inflatable body of the cover 23 and the floats 32 are thus inflated by the gas contained in the gas cartridge 46. Upon a further movement of the baby cot 10 relative to the dividing wall 58 or the holding element 56 mounted on the dividing wall 58, the activating element 54 tears in the region of its predetermined breaking point 66. This ensures that the baby cot can be detached from the dividing wall 58 without excessive effort.

The baby cot 10 furthermore comprises a carrying handle arrangement 68, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. However, for greater clarity, illustration of the carrying handle arrangement 68 has been omitted in FIGS. 6 to 11. It will be understood, however, that the baby cot 10 shown in FIGS. 6 to 11 is also fitted with a carrying handle arrangement 68. The carrying handle arrangement 68 comprises two carrying handles 70, 72 which are fastened to the first and to the second base-body side wall 16, 18 and are connected to one another via a connecting device 74. The material of the carrying handle arrangement 68 is chosen, and the carrying handle arrangement 68 is dimensioned, such that the carrying handles 70, 72 extend upwards from the base-body side walls 16, 18. The connecting device 74 arcuately spans a distance between upper ends of the carrying handles 70, 72. The carrying handle arrangement 68 is thus suitable for cooperation with a sea rescue device, i.e. a spring hook of a sea rescue device can be simply and conveniently hooked into the connecting device 74 of the carrying handle arrangement 78 in order to recover the baby cot 10 from the water in an emergency.

Furthermore, the baby cot 10 is fitted with signal lighting 76 (indicated merely schematically in the figures) and a GPS position transmitter 78 (likewise indicated merely schematically in the figures). The signal lighting 76, embodied in the form of a flashing light, and the GPS position transmitter 78 are coupled to an activating mechanism 52 for activating a gas cartridge 46, so that the signal lighting 76 and the GPS position transmitter 78 are automatically activated when the activating mechanism 52 activates the gas cartridge 46. Separate activation of the signal lighting 76 and the GPS position transmitter 78 can thereby be dispensed with.

Finally, the baby cot 10 comprises a safety belt arrangement 80 which is designed to secure a baby accommodated in the base body 12 of the baby cot 10. The safety belt arrangement 80 may be embodied in the form of a simple abdominal belt but also in the form of a harness belt, such as that employed, for example, in child car seats or the like.

Claims

1. Baby cot having:

a floatable base body which is shaped and dimensioned such that it is suitable for accommodating a baby,

a cover which is designed to close an open upper side of the base body watertightly, and

an inflating device for inflating an inflatable body of at least one of the cover and an inflatable float attached to the base body, wherein the inflating device comprises at least one gas cartridge, and wherein the gas cartridge of the inflating device is activable by means of an activating mechanism so as to inflate the inflatable body of at least one of the cover and the inflatable float when the baby cot is moved from a position intended for normal use of the baby cot relative to a holding element for fastening the baby cot in its position intended for normal use.

2. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised in that the base body is made of a plastics material and in that at least one hollow chamber is formed in a base plate and/or at least one side wall of the base body.

3. Baby cot according to claim 2,

characterised in that a plurality of hollow chambers arranged above one another and/or beside one another are formed in the base plate of the base body.

4. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised in that a first side wall of the base body is constructed higher than a second side wall, lying opposite the first side wall, of the base body, and in that a third side wall, connecting the first and the second side wall to one another, of the base body and a fourth side wall, connecting the first and the second side wall to one another and lying opposite the third side wall, of the base body have an edge which is inclined relative to the base plate of the base body and faces away from the base plate.

5. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised in that the cover is fixedly connected to the base body along at least a section of a circumference of the base body and/or is connectable by means of a watertight zip fastener to the base body along at least a section of a circumference of the base body.

6. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised in that the cover has at least one section formed by a watertight, air-permeable membrane.

7. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised in that the inflatable float extends in the inflated state from an outer surface of a side wall of the base body, a plurality of hollow chambers being formed in an inner space of the float.

8. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised by a stabilising device which has at least one unfoldable stabilising body fastened to the base body, the stabilising body being provided, in a region adjacent to the base body, with at least one water supply opening which enables a supply of water into the stabilising body and thus the unfolding of the stabilising body.

9. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised in that the inflating device has a mouthpiece, wherein the gas cartridge and the mouthpiece are connected to an inner space of the inflatable body of the cover and/or an inner space of the float.

10. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised in that the activating mechanism for activating the gas cartridge has an activating element which is connected to a valve of the gas cartridge and is fastenable to the holding element when the baby cot is in its position intended for normal use, and which transmits a force required for opening the valve of the gas cartridge to the valve of the gas cartridge when the baby cot is moved from its position intended for normal use relative to the holding element.

11. Baby cot according to claim 10,

characterised in that the activating element is embodied in the form of an activating cord or an activating rod, the first end of which is connected to the valve of the gas cartridge and the second end of which can be fastened to the holding element when the baby cot is in a position intended for normal use, and in that the activating element is provided with a predetermined breaking point, the strength of which is greater than the force required for opening the valve of the gas cartridge but is less than the strength of the remaining regions of the activating element.

12. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised by a carrying handle arrangement having two carrying handles which extend from two mutually opposite side walls of the base body, and a connecting device connecting the carrying handles to one another, the shape and the mechanical properties of the carrying handle arrangement being chosen such that the carrying handle arrangement is suitable for cooperating with a sea rescue device.

13. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised by signal lighting and/or a GPS position transmitter.

14. Baby cot according to claim 13,

characterised in that the signal lighting and/or the GPS position transmitter is/are coupled to the activating mechanism for activating the gas cartridge in such a manner that the signal lighting and/or the GPS position transmitter is/are automatically activated when the activating mechanism activates the gas cartridge.

15. Baby cot according to claim 1,

characterised by a safety belt arrangement suitable for securing a baby accommodated in the base body of the baby cot.